Lenovo gets hands on x86 business in UK and Ireland

Employees and business operations in the region finally transition to Lenovo after month-long delay

Channel players are hoping to reap the benefits now that IBM’s UK x86 business and staff are finally in Lenovo’s grasp.

As exclusively revealed by ChannelWeb last year, IBM wrote to partners informing them that it had postponed the switchover for the business from 1 December to 1 January.

Many partners were left disappointed by the delay as they had hoped the deal, which closed globally in October 2014, would mean cheaper pricing and better margins under the Chinese vendor.

However, the move was welcomed by other partners as it allowed them to get the fiscal year out of the way and start afresh in 2015.

Lenovo initially completed the x86 deal on 1 October, but said that due to the large number of countries and processes across EMEA, the transition would be slightly delayed to ensure a "smooth incorporation".

Marc Godin, vice president and general manager, UK and Ireland at Lenovo, said: “We are glad to formally welcome the IBM x86 team now joining Lenovo UK and Ireland. Our priorities are to deliver a seamless transition for customers and partners, while we accelerate our server business. We have big plans for the enterprise market and aim to repeat the success we have had in PCs.”

Darren Phelps, channel director at Lenovo, added: “We’ve been working closely with IBM over the past few months to ensure a quick start of the x86 business following the closing of the transaction in UK and Ireland. We are ready to compete vigorously for customers across every sector now that we have become one team.”